Utica, NY - The Utica College men's lacrosse team will look to snap its two-game losing streak when they take on Hartwick College at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The Pioneers will also be holding their annual USILA/HEADstrong Cancer Awareness Game.
USILA/HEADstrong Cancer Awareness Game: NCAA lacrosse programs across the country are working together throughout the month of April in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. The landmark initiative will take place for the entire month of April, in which lacrosse teams nationwide will be asked to make a statement on the playing field by pledging a game, raising funds, and wearing HEADstrong awareness accessories in support of the cause. All men's lacrosse games at the NCAA Division I, II, and III level during the month of April will have an opportunity to pledge a game as a USILA/HEADstrong event. Fans can donate at www.headstrong.org/donate.
Last Time Out: The Pioneers fell to St. John Fisher College at home on April 10, 21-6. John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) scored two goals for the Pioneers as Jared Smaldon (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), Dale Wagner (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge), John Hanlon (Coconut Creek, FL/St. John Paul Academy) and Dylan Dunham (Elbridge, NY/Jordan Elbridge) each added one score. St. John Fisher outshot the Pioneers 43-25, including 33-15 in shots on goal. UC also lost the face off battle 25-5. Harrison Bower (Northport, NY/Kings Park) made eight saves in three quarters of work, before Dylan Allen (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) entered in the fourth to finish the game off with four saves. The loss dropped Utica's record to 5-8 on the season and 1-4 in Empire 8 Conference play.
Handy Hanlon: Senior John Hanlon (Coconut Creek, FL/St. John Paul Academy) has been a top performer for the Pioneers all season as he leads the team with 35 points. His 1.67 assists per game ranks seventh in the E8 as he has produced more assists, 20, than he has goals this season, 15. Teammate James Daniele (Pleasantville, NY/Pleasantville) has also tallied an impressive 16 assists on the year as a freshman with only seven games started.
Pesky Parisi: Kevin Parisi (Glenwood, NJ/Vernon Township) has caused havoc for opposing offenses this season. He's fourth in the E8 causing 2.92 turnovers per game, a total of 38 in 13 games played. Teammate Nick Alexander (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) is also top-10 in caused turnovers per game averaging 1.46 of his own. These two have played a large part in Utica's defensive success as the team ranks third in the conference forcing 11.31 turnovers per game.
Freshman Phenom: In his first season with the Pioneers, John Avery (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford-Mendon) has already become one of the offensive leaders on the team. He's scored 25 goals in 13 games while also adding in five assists to get him to the 30 point mark. Avery is ranked second on the team behind only Hanlon with 34 points.
Penalty Killers: The Pioneers haven't let many teams score in man-up opportunities this season as their .333 penalty-kill percentage is the third best in the E8. In man-down situations, the Pioneers have allowed 28 goals on 78 attempts by opponents.
Scouting Hartwick: The Hawks are 8-2 on the season (4-1 in E8 play) and are coming off of a 25-12 loss to St. John Fisher. They rank fifth in the E8 averaging 14.20 goals per game off of a .314 shooting percentage which also ranks fifth in the E8. With that, the Hawks are fourth in the conference allowing just 8.77 goals per game off of a .541 save percentage. Goalkeeper C.J. Alesandrini has allowed just 62 goals in 511 minutes played this season and owns a .581 save percentage. Utica is 6-4 in its last 10 matchups against Hartwick. The last time these two teams met at Gaetano Stadium was back in 2016 and the Pioneers came away with a thrilling 11-10 victory. UC goalie Harrison Bower (Northport, NY/Kings Park) earn the one goal victory for the Pioneers back in 2016.
Looking Ahead: The Pioneers have two games remaining in the regular season. They will hit the road to take on Elmira College on April 20 before coming back home on April 27 for senior day against Houghton College.
